Chevelon Canyon Lake, a hidden gem tucked in the picturesque Mogollon Rim of northern Arizona, offers a serene retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. Managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, the lake is a small, narrow reservoir formed by an earthen dam on Chevelon Creek, within Chevelon Canyon. Constructed in 1965 for flood control and recreation, the lake spans 200 acres with an average depth of 35 feet, and is fed by various sources, including Long Tom Tank, Willow Springs Lake, and Woods Canyon Lake.

Reaching the lake is an adventure in itself, as it is considered one of the most challenging lakes to access in the region. The last mile of the journey is closed to vehicles, requiring visitors to hike approximately one mile from the nearby campground to the lake. This trail offers stunning views as it winds through the forested landscape, but hikers should be prepared for a steep ascent when returning to the campground. The road to the lake, including Forest Road 169 and 169B, is unpaved and can become impassable due to snow from November through April.

Fishing at Chevelon Canyon Lake is popular for those seeking rainbow trout, brown trout, and the unique Little Colorado sucker. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, while brown trout and Little Colorado sucker reproduce naturally in the lake’s waters. The lake is also home to various bird species and wildlife, adding to the peaceful, natural atmosphere.

In addition to fishing, boating is permitted but limited to small, non-motorized boats, such as canoes or kayaks, which must be manually carried to the primitive boat ramp. Motorized boats are allowed, but their engines must not exceed 10 horsepower.

Surrounded by dense forest and canyon views, Chevelon Canyon Lake is a tranquil escape. Wildlife such as deer, elk, wild turkeys, and various bird species can be spotted in the area, while the surrounding pines, oaks, and wildflowers make it a picturesque location to explore.

Part of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest Ranger District.

Our Visit — August 2–4, 2024

We scouted several dispersed camping spots in the area before settling on one not far from Chevelon Canyon Lake Campground at 34°30'12.6"N 110°50'23.9"W. The options are limited — only a few dispersed spots exist in the immediate area and some require high clearance to reach. Worth driving the full road before committing to a site.

From camp we walked a road that led to a view of the lake below — a preview of what the following day would deliver in full. On that walk we spotted an orange Horned Lizard — one of the most visually striking of Arizona's lizard species, the color catching the eye against the forest floor.

The next day we walked the trail and service road FR 169B — marked on OnX as FR 611 — that descends to Chevelon Canyon Lake. Rocky and steep, with the knowledge in the back of your mind the entire way down that everything you're losing in elevation you will have to regain on the way back out. Along the trail we found wild grapes — not yet ripe in early August but present and worth noting for a later-season visit when the fruit would be ready.

We hung by the bank and took a dip — the lake cold and clear in the canyon below, the walls rising on both sides, the forest pressing to the water's edge. We explored the area along the bank. While we were there a group of OHV riders arrived — they had come in via FR 619B, the Chevelon Canyon Lake road approach from the other direction. We overheard them discussing not wanting to go back out the way they came, and they came over to scout the road we had walked in on — apparently hoping to move some boulders to create a through-route. There is a locked gate on that road for a reason. They left without moving anything.

On the trail up we passed a large group heading down with no water — and some of the women carrying purses rather than daypacks. The steep return from the lake to the campground is genuinely demanding. It is not a casual walk and it should not be attempted without adequate water and appropriate footwear. The people we passed were going to have a difficult time.

That evening back at camp we had a fire. Luca fired a clay vessel he had made — a camp ceramics session that produced something worth keeping. We found a complete deer skull with antlers in the surrounding forest — intact and undisturbed, a remarkable find, is was left hanging on a tree.

And then the lights. To the south, a series of strange moving lights appeared — lighting up, moving, going out, reappearing. Several visible at a time, moving in one direction then changing course. No sound. No obvious explanation. They went on for a while before disappearing entirely. We still don't know what they were.

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